Question

What type of interaction is shown by a tapeworm residing in the human intestine?
A) Predation
B) Commensalism
C) Interspecific competition
D) Mutualism
E) Parasitism

Answer 1

Hint: The organisms depend on each other for food and space. They live in close association with each other. Some associations are useful whereas the others are harmful. Tapeworm lives in the intestines of many animals. It absorbs the nutrients directly from the host.

Complete answer:
Tapeworm is an organism that bears segments. They live in the intestines of several animals. The tapeworm does not have a digestive system to break food. It, therefore, lives in the intestines of humans and other animals where the digested food is available in plenty. It absorbs the nutrients from the host by the process of simple diffusion. In turn, they harm the host as they cause several intestinal infections. The tapeworm can also affect the organs outside the intestine and can affect the nervous system. This association in which one organism is benefited and the other is harmed is known as parasitism.
Thus the correct answer is option (E).

Additional information:
Let’s study the remaining options.
Predation: It is the interaction between organisms where one organism kills and eats another organism. The latter is known as prey. Example Tiger eats deer.
Commensalism: This is the interaction between organisms in which one organism benefits but the other is neither benefited nor harmed. This interaction usually occurs for shelter, protection and support.
Interspecific competition: In this type of interaction, different species compete with each other for space, prey in the same ecosystem. Example- lions and leopards for the same prey.
Mutualism: It is a relationship which is also known as symbiosis. In this both the organisms are benefited. Example Lichens- It is the association with algae and fungi. The former provides food and the later provides shelter.

Note: Parasitism can lead to adverse effects. It can even prove fatal to the host. Some parasites on human body are:
Lice- found in the hair of humans and other animals. They suck blood.
Leech- It is an annelid which feeds on human/animal blood.
Entamoeba histolytica lives in the human intestine and causes several diseases like dysentery.